Greetings once more from the High Desert and all of our school community at St. Anthony’s. Happily the spring sun shines on us although winter winds still grace us from the mountains of Colorado. Hail, rain or snow… Our young students find time for frolics and fun.
At the moment amidst the academic activities we are all preparing for the spring break. Public schools are already celebrating the break while we soldier on until Easter. But it is all to the good since we have first to celebrate the season of Lent.
I was particularly taken aback this year with the seriousness of our students in taking up the Lenten observances. Following the fun and games from Catholic Schools Week and the “Miracle Fair” (when students prepared presentations on the lives of saints who had brought them some inspiration.) I thought interests would wane as Lent came suddenly upon us. However and not unusually, the students surprised me.
On Ash Wednesday at the ‘All School Mass’, the students with great dignity, came forward and received their ashes. Previously they had written down their Lenten promises on cards, put them into unmarked envelopes and presented them at the Altar during the offertory. At the end of Mass, they collected their envelopes and in silence processed outside. There they placed their envelopes into an open fire and prayed again as their promises ascended in smoke to the heavens. How beautifully they acknowledged the need to help others while they themselves drew closer to the Lord! It was Ashes Day in a real and meaningful way.
The school took up a Lenten theme on forgiveness … How to forgive and how best to seek forgiveness. A lesson much needed in our world today. The students obviously spent time considering that subject and class by class they expressed their thoughts in art work. This they brought to church in the second week of lent and again made a presentation of their thoughts at the Altar. One class produced a phrase that lingers with me each day. “There is no forgiveness without love and no love without forgiveness”. I am amazed at the profoundness of their thoughts. The young can have much to teach the world.
Schoolwork continues unabated. Quarterly test results are completed and I have not been disappointed with the results. I trust that parents will appreciate the efforts that their children make here both in academics and in personal maturity. (Parent teacher conferences are taking place as I write to you.)
This has been a new experience for me. In the absence of a school principal I have had to oversee the conferences and so that I can know what happens I have sat into one or two. I see parents who want the best for the children, teachers who work with the parents to see that goals are achieved and children who perhaps needlessly are a little apprehensive. I notice that the teachers are conscious of Sr. Marsha’s advice, in every case begin with the positive attributes of the students and build from that base. It works, I see it in the faces of the kids.
We of course still miss Sr. Marsha’s presence and expertise. However, really she is not gone from us. She is always available for advice and guidance. I call upon her good offices regularly. Sister also helps in the search for a new principal. This is not an easy task. Not only are good principals a scarce commodity, but one suited to our unique Zuni culture and the catholicity of the school is even more rare. Our search continues and I am happy to report that there are good prospects for the beginning of the new school year. Meanwhile we continue to serve our students. I am more grateful than ever for the unity and dedication of our teachers. I also remind people that I am only ‘Interim’.
An “Interim” should not change anything but using what I have learned from Sr. Marsha I have created a new small group. Discipline at St. Anthony’s is not called for very often, but when it does, it becomes my responsibility. With heart in my mouth while trying to look “cool”, I follow good advice and aim for remedy rather than punishment. I meet with the student concerned, have them research their actions, both cause and effect; discuss with them; have them draw conclusions for future actions and write an essay on the subject. There efforts are punishment enough. When we meet, we are the “research group” not “detention”. Unconventional perhaps but I see some success. I begin with “I see a good person that is being led astray, let’s find a way back to the straight path.” Already I see positive effects and I pray for its good outcome.
I see it as part of the holistic development of the student. They are with us to learn, most certainly, but more importantly to become good people and great citizens. In my ‘Interim’ position, I understand better than before the privilege it is to be entrusted with these young lives by parents and guardians and indeed to be charged with helping the children build a better and more wonderful future for themselves and those around them.
Onwards and upwards. Our bishop is coming for Confirmations in three weeks, time now to prepare our young ones to take their place as good citizens in tribe, community, Church and nation.
I pray you will have a wonderful Easter and am always thankful to you for making this school so wonderfully possible.
Fr. Patrick McGuire
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